Football in Pennsylvania is not in the best shape right now. The Super Bowl trophy sitting with Philadelphia, but two of the biggest teams are facing problems. The Pittsburgh Steelers are struggling to stay above .500, and Penn State is still searching for a new head coach after firing James Franklin. Amid all this chaos, one local legend stepped in with a bold idea.

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shared his thoughts on his podcast, and what he said caught everyone’s attention.

“Maybe it's a clean house time,” Roethlisberger said. “Maybe it's time. I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin... Maybe a fresh start for him is what's best. Whether that's in the pros, maybe go be Penn State's head coach. You know what he would do at Penn State? He'd probably go win national championships, because he's a great recruiter.”

This sentiment took most fans by surprise, especially since Roethlisberger was part of the game Tomlin debuted as coach. The two won a Super Bowl title together. However, if we look at the Steelers' results, the picture becomes clear.

Ever since their Week 6 win against the Browns, the Steelers have managed a record of 2-5. And while one win did come against a dominant Colts side, the Steelers haven't shown the same energy. But does that mean the Steelers will fire Tomlin? Roethlisberger has an answer.

“Here's what you don't do,” Roethlisberger said. “You don't fire a guy like Coach Tomlin. He's a Hall of Fame coach. What you do is you come to an understanding and agreement. It's like, 'Hey, listen, I think it's probably best for both of us.' … Coach Tomlin's been here a long time. You would give him a statue, do whatever you gotta do, because he deserves it. He's earned it. But it's like, OK, it's time to find that next guy.”

Tomlin knows what sentiment is at the moment. He even acknowledged it after the Bills loss. "I share their frustration tonight." That frustration has come from a 6-11 record in his last 17 games, which is uncharted territory for him in Pittsburgh. But as Roethlisberger suggested, coaching the next generation of players might just be the break he needs.

Tomlin hasn’t coached at the college level since 1999, when he was at Cincinnati. Since then, college football has been transformed by NIL deals, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal. He has a Super Bowl championship on his record. Given Penn State's empty HC job after Franklin's firing, it seems like perfect timing.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Tomlin’s name has come up in college football talks. Back in 2021, when USC was searching for a coach, some former players like Carson Palmer mentioned Tomlin as a possible candidate. But his response back then was strong and clear.

Based on Mike Tomlin's History, College Coaching Won't Be His Path

"I got one of the best jobs in all of professional sport," Tomlin said four years ago. "Why would I have any interest in coaching college football? That'll be the last time that I address it. And not only today, but moving forward. Never say never, but never. OK? Anybody else got any questions about any college jobs? There's not a booster with a big enough blank check."

That statement said it all. Tomlin made it clear he was happy in the NFL and had no interest in leaving for college football. Yet, times have changed. In 2025, with the Steelers struggling and pressure growing louder every week, some wonder if Tomlin might finally think differently about his future.

Meanwhile, Penn State still doesn’t have a head coach. The school has seen many targets slip away. BYU’s Kalani Sitake stayed after getting a new deal. Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule all decided to remain with their current programs. Each missed hire makes Penn State’s position more uncertain.

So, what do you think, fans? Should Mike Tomlin give college football a shot, or stay where he is and rebuild the Steelers into contenders again? 

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar